Apparatus for punching cards for filing systems



Dec. 14, 1954 I M. EFFROS 2,696,885

I APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING CARDS FOR FILING SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 16, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IS- INVHVTOR.

MILTON EFFROS A TTORNEY M. EFFROS Dec. 14, 1954 APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING CARDS FOR FILING SYSTEMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16, 1548 INVENTOR. MILTON EEFROS BY MLCEMM 4 TTOENE) Deg, 14, 1954 M. EFFROS 2,696,885

APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING CARDS FOR FILING SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 1a, 1948 5 sheets-sheet s 140 5 v T i 13- INVENTOR. MILTON EFFROS gam 65M A TTOENE) Dec... 14, 1954 M. EFFROS 2,696,885

APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING CARDS FOR FILING SYSTEMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 16, 1948 8 98 :3 v N l llll'l IHIIIIIH] A I To a M a g m :ro H C! 3 o 1' Q m Jo g l\ I l I\ l I m f. n I

INVENTOR. MILTON EFFFZOS g BY Mk @M/walb Dec. 14, 1954 M. EFFROS APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING CARDS FOR FILING SYSTEMS Filed Nov. 16. 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PUNCHES CLEARING CAM INVENTOR. /V\ |LTON EFFROS A T TOENE) h'oles already punched in the cardadjacent its edge.

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR PUNCHING CARDS FOR SYSiIEMS Milton Elfros, Great Neck, N. Y.,assignor to Superior Business Machines, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of. New York ApplicationlNovember 16,1948, SerialNo. 60,266

'9 Claims. (Cl. 164-"112) This invention relates to apparatus for punching cards forfiling'systems.

The so-called key sort method of arranging large quantities of cards in a predetermined relat onship involves a :preprinted and .prepunched-card wherein a plurality of openings are punched adjacent an edge of the cards. Each card is treated individually to form notches froIm 11 every ease, the :cards, preliminarily provided with the holes at 'the :edge of the .card, are prepared by a hand operated punching machine which cuts out the remaining paper adjacent the edge of the card to .form a not-ch. Thus, when a pin is inserted :through the aligned openings through the cards, some cards can be removed from the assembly since the notches will not hold on the pin the cards in 'whichttheyaremade, while those cards which still have holes will remain :on the .pin. This operation, wherein cards having prepunched holes adjacent their edges are provided, and wherein separate notching 'out of the holes in the cards at the edge is resorted to, is'very expensive.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus, and the method for utilization thereof, wherein no prepunching of the cards is necessary, and wherein notches are cut and holes are :punohe'd "simultaneously and 1I1 -a single operation throughout the entire edge of the card, wherever required by a predetermined code, and with a single settingof the machine.

Apparatus of the type indicated may be operated so that only selectedpor'tions of the :edges of a card 'W11l=b worked upon at-a particular operation. Thus, there may be situations in which only a portion of -the edge of a card will require the formation of some relation of punched holes and cut notches. Thus, the apparatus may beselectively operated to be effective at only such a distinct area. sorting operation is punched at a single operation; that is, all of the holes and all of the .slots are formed by this single operation, Whereas heretofore-holes were formed first; then notches were formed by cutting 'away the rest o'f'the edge o'ftthe card forming the hole.

in the machines heretofore used, it was ineeess-ary to 'reduce the number of notches to be formed to a minimum, in order to reduce the number of vnecessaryimanip ula-tions of the keys in the slotting machine. It was sought to limit the operation "to but asingle key, or, at most, two :keys, for setting up any particular-combination. .-In .the

apparatus set forth herein, it is ,possible to produce, by

the operation of a single key, all .of the notchesrand'openings requisite fora tproper sorting operation, so 'that'the numberof operations of the punch involved becomes 'immaterial.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus, and the method of utilization thereof, wherein a code maybe utilized involving as many matches as possible, in order that, in the subsequent sorting operations, -the ni iinber of cards lifted in each manipulation of the sorting pin will be reduced to a minimum. Such a'pp'aratus will reduce'the number of handling operations for each card, will' reducetthe :number of cards "lifted, and, therefore, the volume of cards handled, .at each manipulation, andwill expedite the sorting operations because less cumbersome and less'bulkyoperations are involved.

-It is an object of the invention to :provide apparatus for the punching ofcards .in accordance with the processesfhere discussed, wherein theeard [issupported in :the o ,punch so that it is completely visible to the operator at In such a case, the entire area to be utilized in a all times, and so that the icard may be handled from one position to another without any substantial-change in the operators position between the setting up position, the punching position, and the release position, of the card.

Other objects of the invention will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent from the description and the drawings, in which are illustrated embodiments exemplifying the invention.

The "invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to .any particular construction, or any {particular arrangement of parts, :or any particular application of any such construction or arrangement of parts, or any specific method of 'operation'or use, or-any of 'the various details thereof, even where specifically shown and described herein, as the same may be modified in various particulars, or maybe applied in many varied relations, without departing from the spirit and :scope of the invention, of which the exemplifying embodiment, herein shown and described, is intended only to be illustrative, and only for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the statutes for disclosure of an'operative embodiment, but not to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention anight beembodied.

On the drawings, in which the same reference characters refer to the same parts throughout, and in which are disclosed such'practical constructions,

Fig. -1 is a detail vertical cross-sectional view longitudinally of a machine embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1, illustrating details "of the various operating members;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a set 'of lovers which enter into theoperation of the apparatus, the spacing of the levers being exaggerated;

Fig. 4 is aplan view ofa card produced by the machine of Fig-1';

Fig. .5 is a detail view 'to enlarged scale, to illustrate the relationship between hole and notch, as .produced by adjusting theipositionbf the-punches;

Figs. -6, .7, 8 and 9 aredetail-elevational views ofportions of the-operating mechanism; and

.Fig. .10 is a diagram to illustrate the relation in timing of the various cams.

On the drawings, there is illustrated apparatus 10 for effecting the purposes of the invention. Apparatus 10 may consist of a casing 12 having a partition wall 14 located to provide a support tor-a sloping wall 16 which extends from wall 14 down to a front wall 18 and a footing wall 20.

Supported between partition wall 14 and end Walls 22 is a housing wall 24. The wall 26 ofcasing '12 may 'be formed to provide a slot 28 by indenting a portion of the wall downwardly and cutting to form edges 30.

A card 32, inserted through slot 28, comes to rest in the groove 34 formed 'by notches 36 in the bodies of a plurality of dies 38. These dies are assembled, in side by side relationship, between housing wall 24 and a die retaining wall 40, so :that the notches are in alignment and form groove .34. Wall 40 may be assembled with housing wall 24 in anyrsuitable manner, as, for instance, by bolting or welding. The top edges Hand 44 of walls 24 and 4-0 :may have means for retainingrthedies in place, as, for instance, by being flan ed inwardly to form retaining walls 46 which serve to limit upward movement of dies 38.

Each die tends to move upwardly under the action of .an individual spring 48 received around post 50 upon which the die is secured. The post extends downwardly from the die through alignedopenings 52 and 54 in wall 4% and bottom wall56 of housing wall 24, respectively. .Spring 48 is retained by asuitable pin 58 fixed in post and against wall 56 in order resiliently to drive the particular die 38 normally into engagement with walls 46.

Each die may be formed with a passage 60 in which is positioned a punch 62. immediately at notch 36, passage 6th is enlarged to provide an additional recess 64 to receive the edge of card .32. so that normally the card will, when testing in recess 64, cooperate with punch 62 for the formationof a hole 66, such as shown in Fig. 4, inwardly spaced from edge 68. Beyond recess '64, passage 6i continues for a short distance at the diameter to cooperate with the punch, and then widens, as at 70, to provide for the reception of punchings from the die and for their discharge through an opening 72 in housing Wall 24. These punchings may be received in a chamber '74 defined between walls 24 and 26, and may be removed through a drawer or similar access providing means 76.

Each punch 62 is carried by its die and includes an arm which extends through a slot 80 formed in wall 4'9. Each arm terminates in a bent up end 82 which extends into a recess 8 5 provided in a cam 86. Cam $6 and the recess formed therein extend the length of the casing to engage the ends 82 of all of the punches.

Each die 38 and, therefore, its associated punch 62 and end 82 are capable of limited vertical movement away from walls 46 and with relation to the housing provided by walls 24 and 40. During such vertical movement, the end 82 moves within recess 84; it is limited in its movement so that it never moves out of that recess. When cam 36 is rocked along a longitudinal axis, it remains always in engagement with ends 82, and thus will operate every one of the ends, no matter what the adjusted vertical position of each of the dies may be.

Carried upon top wall 26 are a pair of trays 9i) and 92 for the reception of cards to be worked upon by the operator. For instance, the operator may position upon tray 96 a plurality of cards, each bearing data which will control its punching. A card is taken from tray 90, placed in groove 34 and punched. Then it may be removed from groove 34 and placed upon cards stacked on tray 92. The cards on tray 99 are disposed so that data on them is visible to the operator so that proper manipulation of keys 94 may be effected.

Carried by each post 50 is a pin 96 which fits into a slot 98 in an arm 100 of a bell crank 102. Crank 102 is pivotally mounted on a pin 104 which extends through the casing between its end walls. The end of the other arm 1116 of the bell crank is pivotally connected with a link 16% which extends through and is slidably supported in a slot 110 in footing wall 20. Allowance is thus made for slight reciprocal and vertical movement of link 103 as it moves to actuate crank 102 and is moved by the actuating means.

It is intended to punch the cards according to a predetermined code to accommodate certain combinations of characters. For this purpose, it is necessary to utilize more than one link and, therefore, more than one punch and die, for any code number or combination of symbols. Where it is desired to utilize a code based upon the numerical system, a combination such as shown in Fig. 3 may be utilized. In that case, four links 108, 112, 114 and 116 are arranged to set up the symbols which are to be made to appear upon the-card at, for instance, an area 11% which, for example, will be taken to encompass the series of units of a combination of numbers of three figures. In other words, there will have to be three distinct areas 118 each of which will have four links 188, 112, 114 and 116. The links are thin enough to be positioned snugly side by side, and not to require more than the spacing for a set of keys 94 positioned in a row 126.

Each key has a button 122 which, by its cooperation with an opening 124 in a wall 126 forming the outer wall of the casing, serves to guide the key in its vertical movement. Each button has a pin 128 extending therefrom, the pin being secured to the button so as to be substantially rigid therewith. A spring 139 is carried by the pin between the button and a ledge formed in wall 16 for that purpose. The spring tends to drive button 122 through opening 124 to its upper limit determined by another pin 132. Pin 132, also carried by button 122, extends down through an opening 134- formed in wall 16, and has a bent end 136 to engage the bottom face of wall 16 at the opening, to limit movement of the button and retain it against separation from the casing. End 136 has a lateral extent sutficient to engage selected ones of a plurality of cam faces 138 formed on projections from the respective links 1%, 112, 114 and 116, in accordance with the particular button involved, and also to engage under a short notch or finger 140 on the particular projection at the lower end of each face 138.

As button 122 is depressed, its end 136 will engage the particular cam or cams 138 on selected links, according to the code, and will cause the links to slide downwardly through their slots 110. At the end of the movement of the button, end 136 will catch in the notch or notches 140, and thus serve to retain the link or links in the position to which they have been projected, and, of course, at the same time, hold the button down, indicating the code number which is to be punched. Springs 43 and 136 are in compression, holding the parts in these positions. If it is desired, before punching, to clear one of the numbers the button for which has been depressed, and to position some other number, it is only necessary to press any one of the other buttons in that particular line. The end 136 of the new button will engage against the new face 138, moving the particular link through slot 110, and thus causing the end 136 previously caught in a notch 141 to be released. Continued movement of that button last actuated will bring its particular end 136 into engagement with the notches therewith associated, and the associated links will be locked in position. A cam 142 is also provided which, on operation by suitable means, will engage an arm 144 carried by each link. Movement of the links will cause release of all of the engaged buttons. Thereafter, new buttons may be manipulated individually. Individual clearing buttons 146 are provided for each row. The links 108, 112, 114 and 116 of each set have cams 148. Manipulation of a button 146 will cause all of the links of a particular area to be repositioned.

it will be noted that the code is arranged, in the instance disclosed, so that the largest number of links are actuated for each setting, thereby obtaining depression of as many dies as possible, within the code, for each setting. This is in contradistinction to the procedure previously followed wherein the hand operator merely punched one or, at most, two holes for slotting out holes preliminarily punched, within the code. For instance, for the character 9, all four faces 138 on the associated links 108, 112, 114 and 116 are to be engaged by the end 136 for the button at that position; therefore, all of the links will be set to move the dies associated therewith to the lowered position.

Since, however, by such an operation, there always will be at least one or two dies or an end member provided for that purpose positioned to retain the card in the position it retains in Fig. 1, where the dies are in the normal position, the card will remain at the same vertical position shown, even though some of the dies have been moved to the lower vertical position. When the dies are moved to the lower position by proper manipulation of a link or all of the links, the associated punch 62, in the case of a die which has been lowered, is in line not to punch a hole within the edge, but to cut off the edge of the card. In other words, hole 66 will not be formed, but a slot 150 will be formed. Since, for a character 9 in the combination shown in the drawings, all of the links have been depressed, all of the cuttings at the edge of the cards will be slots 150.

If any button for the other numbers had been actuated by the depression of the proper button, less than all of the links would have been moved. In that case, as, for instance, in connection with the number 8, link 1138, which has no cam face 138 at that position, would be clear. The punch and die associated with that link would, therefore, form a hole 66 not extending to the edge of the card; this can be called the first position. All of the other punches and dies, being depressed, would form slots.

In the same manner, for the number 7, link 112 would not be moved on actuation of the button for that member. A hole would, therefore, be formed at the position of this link, which may be termed the second position, but all the punches associated with the other links would form slots. For the number 6, links 108 and 112 would not be disturbed, so that holes would be formed at both the first and second positions, but slots would be formed at the third and fourth positions. In connection with the number 5, link 114 would not be actuated. Therefore, slots would be formed at all positions but the third, where a hole would be formed. In connection with the number 4, links 112 and 114 would not be actuated. Thus, holes would be formed at the second and third positions, but slots would be formed at the first and fourth positions. In connection with the number 3, link 116 would not be actuated. Thus a hole would be formed only at the fourth position. In connection with the number 2, holes would be formed in connection with links 108 and 116, which would not be actuated. In connection with the number 1, holes would be formed at the *fthifd and -fourth pdsitions because liriks l lfl and 116 would-notbe'aetuated.

I-l'le result from a situatio -i such as this is that -when cards punched according to this systemar'eset'up f'or separation-by means of thelinsertiondf a p'inyo'r -needle, =as it is sometimes called, through the aIig'ned openings, and it the needle is firs't inserted 'through the holes at the =first position, :and the neetlle is lifted, since slots are formed for the numbe'rs "l, 3, 4, 5, --7 and 9, o'rily?the cards cu'tior'the codenumbers-Q, 6'and 8ywill be lifted. In other "words, only cards "within onethird of the Fran-ge 6f the code will be lifted. Under the "old system, it is practically impossible to lift less "than two-thirds. Thus, by this process I-a smaller number :of ca'r'd's are lifted at .;the firs't position. The vcard's'so lifted a'r e placed at the front of the cards which *Were not lift'e'd. Ihis .means "that 'eard's pun'ched with holes for numbers 2, 6 and *8 would be positioned in front of all "the other's.

NOW when the needle' is in's'ertedat the second positio'n, onlythe ca'rd's at the position for the numbers =4, '6 and f7 will be lifted. Again there :are io'nly three numbers .lifted. However, in dire old combination, at 'the *second *fposition, car'ds 'fo'r the :numbers 1. 4, '5 and -7 would be lifted; andya'gain, only those car'ds which were dropped would be handled, and not th'e cards which wereon the pin. The cards' for -the numbers"4, 6 and 7 are no'wr'placed at the front. .=But it will 'benoted that they have taken the arrangement *vvhere' those of the 'n'umberfi arein :front of th'e group for both :num'bers 4'a'nd 7, 'while th'e group for the=numbers 2 and -8 are just b'eliind those of the 'numbefs 4 a'nd'7, while those for the-nun'iber's 1, 8, 5 'a'nd9 now end the assembled"cards.

Now, at the thirdj-position, again therea're onlythree numbers liftedthat is, 11, 4 an'd 5. 'A'gaintheilifted-cards tare placed at the front.

The arrangement *now is such that those for the number -4 are separated, and :are followed 'by those "in the group "'of 'the {numbers 1 and 5, which then are followed :by those for the number 6, then by :those for .:the number 7, then by those for the group of numbers :2 land 8, "and 'finally bytthose for the groupio'f numbers 8 Iand 9.

Now, 'a't the fourth positionnonly cards #for lthree num- "hers are lifte'd, those corresponding to the numbers 1, 2 an'd 3. They are positioned 'atthe front of the :pack. Now the cards will be fou'nd to be in *exact order.

A In =other words, the sorting would follow a scheme =as ifollows, wherein the underlined ni'umb'ers indicate :the one lift'e'd, and the brackets indi cate 1 groups within whieh the cards are mot necessarily arranged l in :the order given:

1. 3, 5,5,) 1, 3, 4, s, 7, 9 f2. "(5),, (3,2, 2, 8) 1, 3, *s, '9'

.3. (gm-1. 5 (2. e. a)

(1), (g) (5) to to to (9*) .It'has "been found in handling that "a procedure in which a nurriber of cards are discarded from and have to be shaken out of the :pack is inefficient since cardsftencl to stick within a mass 'ofcards. Where cards are "lifted out 'of amass in order'that they be separated, cards do-not tend to stick to the other cards as they slide out of the mass. The necessity for shaking cards out or "a mass -'is not -conducive to a proper separation.

The apparatus may *be made automatic for continuous bperation by an electric motor drive. In such :case, power for driving the apparatus is transmitted from a proper motor not shown), and is brought 'up toxa shaft T5152 by means of a belt 1 54 trained 'arov.rndpulleys 156 v and 158, thelast of which :isse'cu'r'ed to sh'att 1'52. Shaft 152 is provided a bearing in a suitable support 160 ipositioned in any desirable manner within 'cas'ing 12. A

' bearing for shaft 152 may be provided in a bore within a stub shaft 164 which may he carried in supports 162 and 166.

A'flixed to pulley 158 is a disc 168, which has a plurality of peripheral notch'es intended 'to receive a tooth 172 at the end of a finger 174. The fingeris piv- =otally mounted at the end=of 'an arm'176 which is ffixed on shaft 1'64. Arm 176 and finger 174 have associated ends 178 and 180 which extend so as to seat in a notch 182 in an actuating 'bar 184. Bar 184 is pivoted at a position 186 in the easing so that it may gbe depressed against the action of a spring E88 by-pressing against a plate or bar 190, above wall 126. U ward inovemeht of 56 that 190 is 'limited :by engagement of a :tooth :1 92 'against --the"under='side o'f' wall 1=6.

When ipulley 158 is 'rotatedfiisc 1'68 also is rotated. However, by reason 0f the engagement of ends 178 land 1'80 in'notch 182, tooth 172 is held out 'of position, so that spring 194 will not move the fingeri'into engagement with any one of 'rthe notches 170. O'ndepression tof'bar '190, 'notch 182 is moved out of the way of ends 17 8 and 180; spring 194 tmoves tooth '17 2 against the face of disc 168,!so that it williengage the'next nofch 170 which-comes 'into position as the .peripheralredge of disc 1"68 rides "past tooth 172. With '*tooth"172*engaged in a notch 1'70, rotational movement is imparted to Farm 176. Arm 176, affixed to shaft 164, causes that-shaft continuously to re- :tate until "ends 178 and 180 reach and ride up on a spring pressed finger 196,';pi-vo'ted on bar "184, the end face {of which functions as one 'wall .df'IIO'tCh 182. Finger 1'96 is depressed by ends "178 and 180 until they ride past the'end'of "the finger and come "to rest against the fixed wall 1980f notch '182. Tooth 172 is forced out of the notch '17 0 in which *it is engaged, and movement of arm 576, and thereby'ofvshaft 1*64,isstopped.

On shaft 164 is disposed an eccentric 200 with which is carried an eccentric strap .202, 'which in turn forms a part of a link 204 pivotally connected With a crank 206. Crank 206 :is fixed to 'a "shaft 208 on which cam 86 "is mounted. Thus, for each actuation of bar 190, parts will be set in 'motion'to cause 'a single -'oscillati0n 'of=cam'86,and-thusof all-of the :punches ateve'ry position, :and regardless of their individual adjustments, which will simultaneously be "operated by the cam.

."I'n :supports 21 0 bearings .are provided for a shaft 212 upon which is secured cam 142. Shaft 212 is perrnit'ted limited axial movement through its bearings, 'a spring 214 bearing against the bearing at one end to :move the 'cam and the shaft so that ."a slotted ''end 215 znor'mally will 'tend to engage with a 'spline end 216 on stub shaft 164. MA forked arm 2 18, .pivotally mounted .on a bracket 220,1is mounted so "that :the other end 222 of the crank of which it :forms a part may be engaged by the rod 224 of a repeat button 226. A spring 228 normally tends to :project button .226 above wall 126. A slot 230 in the side of the button may be engaged twith an edge .232 of 'opening234 in wall 126, so that the button :rn'ay be retained in the depressed position, :as shown in Fig. '8. When button 226 is 'moved to this 'depnessed'position, shaft .212 .and cam 142 carried therelbyar'e'mo'ved to the left, in Figs. 6 and 8, and thusbreak =the interlocked \connection between ends 215 and 216. Cam 142is then not-driven byithe actuating .motorythus :repeathed :actuatio'n's of bar .190 will produce repeated zactuations 0f the same settings "of the punches. When button 226 is hotadepressed'cam "142 will function *toclear the =settings of rnembers .108, 112, 114 and .116, to be readyfor a new :setting.

As shown *in Fig. 10, the timing for movements of the shafts 208 and .212 :is such that the punches, being :rocked 'by cran'k 206 (the cycle shown at the top of the :curve) will have completed their rpunching action (shown by the portion of the curve below the axis), in "their movement :into the die, and will have moved away to a position where the :punch will have moved out of the hole formed in the card so that :the card may be .removed from the apparatus, before earn -142 will be :rotated to engage arm 144 (shown by angular portion of the bottom line). Thus, the assembled punches and dies may move'rela'tively to thecard, upon release of the individual :links, since the punches will no longer be 'engaged through the cards so that there will be no tearing action upon the cards.

In view of the force required for actuation of the rpunches, it is "desirable that a :pair of links 204 and a .pair of cranks 206,"0ne tat'each endof "shaft 208, be 'utilized for transmitting "force from shaft 1164 "to shaft 208. For this purpose, a countershaft 1236 is carried by bearings provided in the easing. By means of :gears 238 at one :end and gears 240 at the other 'end of countershaft 2236, a short shaft 242 has rotation imparted thereto from shaft 164. Bearings are provided for shaft 242 in supports 243;shaft 242 carriessan'eccentric 200, which, through a suitable eccentric strap, moves a link 204 which is connected to 'a crank 206 at the opposite end of shaft .208 removed "from the associated members fdriven directly by shaft .164.

Many other changes could the eflected in the particular construction, and in the methods of use and construction, and in specific details thereof, hereinbefore set forth, without substantially departing from the invention defined in the claims, the specific description being merely of embodiments capable of illustrating certain principles of the invention.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a device for forming a series of slots, holes, or a selected association of them, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of punch-and-die assemblies, each assembly including a punch movable with respect to the die to interfit with and move out of interfitting relation to the die, the assembly providing means for receiving and supporting a card or the like edgewise for working thereon, the assemblies being positioned substantially in laterally contiguous relationship and being movable relatively to each other, means for retaining the assemblies in a normal position for making one type of cut in the card, individual setting means for each assembly for adjusting the assembly out of supporting relation to the edge of the card to make another kind of cut in the card, and single means for actuating all of the assemblies simultaneously to form holes or slots according to the position of the several individual setting means.

2. In a device for forming a series of slots, holes or a selected association of them, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of punch-and-die assemblies, each assembly including a punch movable with respect to the die, the assembly providing means for receiving and supporting a card or the like edgewise for working thereon, means for retaining the assemblies substantially in alignment with each other so that the card-receiving means functions as a single unit for supporting a card edgewise, means for moving each assembly individually to a position with relation to the edge of the card out of the supporting position, means for retaining in the positions to which they have been moved those assemblies for which the moving means have been actuated, and single means for actuating all of the assemblies simultaneously to form holes or slots according to the position of the several individual setting means.

3. In a device for forming a series of slots, holes, or a selected association of them, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of punch-and-die assemblies, each assembly including a punch movable with respect to the die to interfit with and move out of interfitting relation to the die, the assembly providing means for receiving and supporting a card or the like edgewise for Working thereon, the assemblies being positioned substantially in laterally contiguous relationship and being movable relatively to each other, means for retaining the assemblies substantially in alignment with each other so that the card-receiving means functions as a single unit for supporting a card edgewise, means for moving each assembly individually to a position with relation to the edge of the card out of the supporting position, means for retaining in the positions to which they have been moved those assemblies for which the moving means have been actuated, single means for actuating all of the assemblies simultaneously to form holes or slots according to the position of the several individual setting means, and means for releasing the retaining means immediately upon the completion of operation of the single actuating means.

4. In a device for forming a series of holes or slots, or a selected association thereof, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of sets of assemblies, each assembly being movable substantially vertically and including a slot opening upwardly, means for maintaining the assemblies in a normally raised position in which the slots are in alignment for receiving a card or the like edgewise, means for sustaining said card or the like in a vertical position, means for lowering the assemblies individuallly out of the normally raised position, each assembly including a die, and a punch movable transversely of the direction of the assembly movement on lowering, selective means for actuating selected ones of the individual lower-.

are actuated whether in the normally raised or in the.

lowered position, the assemblies in the normally raised position producing, on actuation of the rock bar, holes in the card, and in the lowered position, slots in the edge of the card.

5. In a device for forming a series of holes or slots, or a selected association thereof, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of sets of assemblies, each assembly being movable substantially vertically and including a slot opening upwardly, means for maintaining the assemblies in a normally raised position in which the slots are in alignment for receiving a card or the like edgewise, means for sustaining said card or the like in a vertical position, means for lowering the assemblies individually out of the normally raised position, each assembly including a die, and a punch movable transversely of the direction of the assembly movement on lowering, selective means for actuating selected ones of the individual lowering means, but less than the whole number of such individual lowering means for any set, a rock bar mounted on a fixed axis, each of said assemblies having a punch-actuating member, and means coupling said rock bar to said members so that, on actuation of the rock bar, all of the assemblies are actuated whether in the normally raised or in the lowered position, the assemblies in the normally raised position producing, on actuation of the rock bar, holes in the card, and in the lowered position, slots in the edge of the card.

6. In a device for forming a series of holes or slots, or a selected association thereof, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of sets of assemblies, each assembly being movable substantially vertically and including a slot opening upwardly, means for maintaining the assemblies in a normally raised position in which the slots are in alignment for receiving a card or the like edgewise, means for sustaining said card or the like in a vertical position, means for lowering the assemblies individually out of the normally raised position, each assembly including a die, and a horizontally movable punch, selective means for actuating selected ones of the individual lowering means, a rock bar mounted on a fixed axis, each of said punches having an arm, and means for maintaining positive drive coupling between the arms and the rock bar as the assemblies are moved into and out of their several positions so that, on actuation of the rock bar, all of the assemblies are actuated whether in the normally raised or in the lowered position, the assemblies in the normally raised position producing, on actuation of the rock bar, holes in the card, and in the lowered position, slots in the edge of the card.

7. In a device for forming a series of holes or slots, or a selected association thereof, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of sets of assemblies, each assembly including a die having a slot opening upwardly, means for supporting the die to be capable of vertical movement, means for causing the supporting means to move the dies to a normally raised position in which the slots are in alignment for receiving a card or the like edgewise, means for sustaining said card or the like in a vertical position, means for lowering the dies individually out of the normally raised position, each die having a punch movable substantially horizontally in the die, selective means for actuating selected ones of the individual lowering means, a rock bar mounted on a fixed axis, each punch having a member extending therefrom, and means coupling said rock bar to said members so that, on actuation of the rock bar, all of the assemblies are actuated whether in the normally raised or in the lowered position, the assemblies in the normally raised position producing, on actuation of the rock bar, holes in the card, and in the lowered position, slots in the edge of the card.

8. In a device for forming a series of holes or slots, or a selected association thereof, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of sets of assemblies, each assembly being movable substantially vertically and including a slot opening upwardly, means for maintaining the assemblies in a normally raised position in which the slots are in alignment for receiving a card or the like edgewise, means for sus taining said card or the like in a vertical position, means for lowering the assemblies individually out of the normally raised position, each assembly including a die, and a punch movable transversely of the direction of the 9 assembly movement on lowering, selective means for actuating selected ones of the individual lowering means, a rock bar mounted on a fixed axis, each of said assemblies having a punch-actuating member, and means providing a loose coupling between the rock bar and said members, the loose coupling means including a recess in the bar and an end on the member nested in the recess so that, on actuation of the rock bar, all of the members are actuated whether the assemblies are in the normally raised or in the lowered position, the assemblies in the normally raised position producing, on actuation of the rock bar, holes in the card, and in the lowered position, slots in the edge of the card.

9. In a device for forming a series of holes or slots, or a selected association thereof, at the edge of a card or like sheet material, the device including a plurality of sets of assemblies, each assembly including a die having a slot opening upwardly, means for supporting the die to be capable of vertical movement, means for causing the supporting means to move the dies to a normally raised,position in which the slots are in alignment for receiving a card or the like edgewise, means for sustaining said card or the like in a vertical position, means for lowering the dies individually out of the normally raised position, each die having a punch movable substantially horizontally in the die, selective means for actuating selected ones of the individual lowering means, a rock bar mounted on a fixed axis, each punch having a member extending therefrom, and means providing a loose coupling between the rock bar and said members, the loose coupling providing means positively to maintain drive coupling between the members and the rock bar at all times as the assemblies are moved into and out of their several positions so that, on actuation of the rock bar, all of the assemblies are actuated whether in the normally raised or in the lowered position, the assemblies in the normally raised position producing, on actuation of the rock bar, holes in the card, and in the lowered position, slots in the edge of the card.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 Number Name Date 1,981,932 Welk Nov. 27, 1934 2,342,361 Niclas Feb. 22, 1944 2,439,029 Welk Apr. 6, 1948 2,448,961 Curtis Sept. 7, 1948 

